Shower with Integrated Bidet and Drain System

ABSTRACT

A shower or tub enclosure incorporating a spray nozzle in the drain system to allow a spray of water to be directed up from the lower area of the enclosure. The spray nozzle may be optionally controlled by an individual flow diverter. The spray nozzle may further comprise a plurality of spray selectors for shaping the spray.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bidets are frequently found in the bathrooms of many countries, but arenot very common in the United States. In recent years there has been anincrease in their use in the United States. The use of a doucette may bea convenient replacement to a bidet in a location where space does notallow for the installation of both a bidet and a commode. There areconversion devices which allow a doucette to be incorporated into anexisting bathroom by integration into the water supply line for acommode. There are also other attachments which integrate a spray deviceinto a commode's seat and/or hinge assembly. While these approximate thefunctions of a bidet, they are not a true substitute.

Bidets are used for hygienic purposes which may have a cultural orreligious basis. As the population of the United States continues toage, there is an increased need for bidets for those with physicaldisabilities, dexterity or other health problems, particularly thosewhich limit the range of motion. However, space constraints oftenprevent the addition of a bidet to many existing bathrooms. Even whenbidet attachments and doucette are adapted on existing commodes, thecommode's primary use makes it a poor substitute for a bidet, which isprimarily for washing activities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a shower with an integrated bidet and drain system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a bidet and drain system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A and 3B shows a drain strainer adapted for use in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a bidet and drain system'sintegration into the drain opening of a drain pan in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

By incorporating a bidet's functionality into a shower or bath, one canseparate the waste disposal functionality of the commode from thewashing and cleansing functionality of the rest of the facility withoutthe introduction of a dedicated device, the bidet. The inventor hasincorporated a spray nozzle in the drain configuration of a standardshower. While it is not necessary to incorporate the nozzle into thedrain, by doing so, one can avoid another opening in the shower panwhich could be a potential point of leakage. Further, the drain isusually situated near the approximate center of the shower pan making itideally positioned for the spray to strike the user in the preferredlocation.

In the preferred embodiment, the shower fitting is adapted with a wateropening which routes fresh water from a water supply line, up through anopening on the edge of the standard drain opening. This is accomplishedby forming a channel in a portion of the drain fitting's wall which hasbeen thickened to accommodate such in at least the position where thechannel is located. This channel has an intake which would be locatedbelow the shower pan, and is supplied with a freshwater line extendingfrom a diverter existing downstream of the temperature mixing controlsfor the shower.

In one embodiment, the nozzle may extend up from the drain, to protrudeabove the floor of the shower, but doing so may create a trip hazard inthe shower. In another embodiment, the nozzle extends no higher than thefloor of the shower. In the preferred embodiment, the nozzle projects nohigher than the drain opening, just under the drain screen and isaligned with the perimeter of the drain screen. The drain screen, inaddition to the standard strainer pattern of apertures, further includesadditional aperture patterns around the perimeter for shaping andadjusting the spray pattern of the water exiting the nozzle. Further, inthe preferred embodiment, the drain screen is modified such that itpivots around a central pivot point allowing a plurality of aperturepatterns to be selectively rotated into position above the nozzle. Theinventor has further included low profile tabs which can be gripped withthe hand, or manipulated with the foot to rotate the drain screenselector between different spray patterns.

In one embodiment, the shower could be fitted with a dual positiondiverter which would allow one to selectively activate the upper or thelower spray nozzle. Only activating the lower spray nozzle withoutactivating the upper nozzle allows use as a standard bidet where onedoes not need to fully undress. In another embodiment, multiplediverters allow one to selectively activate one or both nozzlesindependently of each other. In another embodiment, one of the sprayselectors may be a non-spray selector which blocks the nozzle causingfresh water to back up the plumbing. By including a non-spray selector,an existing shower system with a single diverter valve may be utilizedto operate dual sprayers. In such an embodiment, the diverter will sendwater to the floor sprayer, unless the non-sprayer selector is selected,in which case water would further be diverted to an upper sprayer.

One skilled in the art would appreciate that adjustments could be madeto extend the nozzle into the drain fitting's central flow channel ordrain port rather than simply on the perimeter. One skilled in the artwould appreciate that the nozzle could be located separate from thedrain, but would need to be at a low enough height and angled in anessentially upward direction to accomplish the task. Where thedescription herein is for incorporation in a shower with a centrallylocated drain, one skilled in the arts would appreciate that the sameconfiguration could be incorporated into a tub with a centrally locateddrain. Further, one skilled in the arts would appreciate that a tub orshower with a drain opening located in a non-central manner could alsoutilize the teachings herein by angling the spray nozzle toward thecenter of the tub or shower.

FIG. 1 illustrates a shower with an integrated bidet and drain system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The shower(100) has a traditional wall sprayer (110) which produces a clean waterspray (600) directed down over the user. The temperature controls (120)allow one to set the desired water temperature, and the flow diverter(130) allows one to control the pressure. One skilled in the art wouldunderstand that temperature controls (120) may be singular or plural.The shower (100) further incorporates a floor sprayer (160) in the drain(150) of the shower's (100) floor pan or floor (140). The floor sprayer(160) directs a spray of water (600) upward from the floor (140) tocleanse the user from a different direction. One skilled in the artwould understand the wall sprayer (110) and the floor sprayer (160) maybe controlled by a single or a plurality of flow diverters (130)allowing for simultaneous, mutually exclusive, or independent control.Waste water is then directed back down the drain (650) in thetraditional fashion.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a bidet and drain system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Bidet anddrain system (150) comprises the drain fitting (210) which contains thetraditional drain channel (270) to collect waste water (650) and funnelsit to the discharge port (280). The drain fitting (210) furtherincorporates, an inflow port (220) which accepts fresh water from asupply line, and directs it through a sprayer port (230) to produce aclean water spray (600), directed up from the floor pan (140) of theshower. The clean water spray (600) from the sprayer port (230) passesthrough the strainer (240). The drain port (270) is spanned by a pivotplate (250), which may be molded as a part of the drain fitting (210) ormay be secured with screws (260) or other mounting hardware. Thestrainer (240) is mounted to the pivot plate (250) by a central screw(260), allowing pivoting of the strainer to adjust the spray selectoraperture pattern positioned above the sprayer port (230). Such taskcould also be accomplished by a rivet, or other mounting options whichwould allow the strainer to rotate.

FIG. 3A and 3B shows a drain strainer adapted for use in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drain strainer (240) is asubstantially flat disk shaped device which may be, but is not limitedto, construction in metal or plastic. The device is preferable made froma non-corrosive, non-reactive material which is rigid. The drainstrainer (240) comprises a centrally located pivot point (310)surrounded by a series of apertures which comprise the draining screen(320). The pattern of square apertures illustrated is simply one exampleof a possible configuration. One skilled in the art would appreciateother patterns which could be utilized for this function of preventinglarger objects from flowing down and possibly clogging the drain port.Arranged around the perimeter of the drain strainer (240) is a pluralityof spray selectors (330). The spray selectors (330) comprise variouspatterns of apertures which shape the stream of water emerging from thesprayer port (230), not illustrated) to vary the clean water spray (600,not illustrated). To aid in rotating the drain strainer (240), one ormore rotation handles (340) may be formed to allow a user to grip androtate. The optional handles are illustrated in FIG. 3B as being of alow profile square shape and extending from the surface of the drainstrainer (240). However, one skilled in the art would appreciate thatthe handles may also be recesses into the surface, or simply a roughenedsection of an otherwise smooth surface.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a bidet and drain system'sintegration into the drain opening of a drain pan in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention. The opening of the floor pan(140) is spanned by a pivot plate (250) which is securely fastened tothe opening by a plurality of screws (260) which also draw the drainfitting (210) against the underside of the floor pan (140) such that thedrain port (270) and the sprayer port (230) are both within theperimeter of the opening in the floor pan (140). The inflow port (220)and the discharge port (280) remain under the floor pan (140) where theycan be connected to supply and discharge lines. The drain strainer (240)is mounted to the pivot plate (250) by a central screw (260) such thatit can pivot to allow rotation of the spray selectors around itsperimeter.

The diagrams in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention are provided as examples and should not be construed to limitother embodiments within the scope of the invention. For instance,heights, widths, and thicknesses may not be to scale and should not beconstrued to limit the invention to the particular proportionsillustrated. Additionally, some elements illustrated in the singularitymay actually be implemented in a plurality. Further, some elementillustrated in the plurality could actually vary in count. Further, someelements illustrated in one form could actually vary in detail. Furtheryet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities,numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should beinterpreted as illustrative for discussing exemplary embodiments. Suchspecific information is not provided to limit the invention.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles andvarious embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations andmodifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once theabove disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the followingclaims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shower system comprising; a floor area havingat least one opening; a fresh water source; a drain system, connected tothe opening in the floor area, and a nozzle for diverting said freshwater source in an upwards direction.
 2. A shower system as described inclaim 1 wherein said nozzle is positioned less than 1 meter from thefloor area.
 3. A shower system as described in claim 1 wherein saidnozzle is positioned on the floor area.
 4. A shower system as describedin claim 1 wherein said nozzle is positioned substantially in the centerof the floor area.
 5. A shower system as described in claim 1 whereinsaid nozzle is positioned adjacent to the drain of the shower system. 6.A shower system ad described in claim 1 wherein said nozzle ispositioned substantially in the drain of the shower system.
 7. A showersystem as described in claim 1 wherein said fresh water source and saiddrain system is integrated into a single unit.
 8. A shower system asdescribed in claim 1 further comprising a spray selector adjacent tosaid nozzle to shape the upwards flow of the fresh water.
 9. A showersystem as described in claim 8 further comprising a plurality of sprayselectors.
 10. A shower system as described in claim 9 wherein theplurality of spray selectors are individually selectable.
 11. A showersystem as described in claim 10 wherein the plurality of spray selectorsare selected by rotating them to a position above the nozzle.
 12. Ashower system as described in claim 10 wherein the plurality of sprayselectors are selected by slidedly positioning them above the nozzle.13. A shower system as described in claim 10 wherein the plurality ofspray selectors includes a non-spray selector comprising a nozzle plugcausing water to divert from the nozzle to a traditional overhead showersprayer.
 14. A drain strainer comprising: a substantially flat roundeddisk shape; a plurality of apertures for allowing the passage of wastewater from a first side of the strainer to a second side; the pluralityof apertures being clustered around the center of the disk; at least onespray selector for allowing the passage of fresh water from the secondside of the strainer to the first side; said spray selector beinglocated near the perimeter of the disk.
 15. A drain strainer asdescribed in claim 14 further comprising a plurality of spray selectorsspaced around the perimeter of the disk.
 16. A drain strainer asdescribed in claim 15 further comprising a central pivot point allowingindividual spray selectors to be rotated into a selected position.
 17. Aplumbing fitting which comprises: a fresh water inlet port; a freshwater nozzle, wherein the nozzle is at one end of a fresh fluid pathwayand the fresh water inlet port is at the distal end; a drain port; adischarge port, wherein the discharge port is at one end of a wastefluid pathway and the drain port is a the distal end; said fresh fluidpathways and waste fluid pathways are disconnected; and the drain portand freshwater nozzle are adjacent, and directed to flow fluid insubstantially opposite directions.